The lucky inhabitants of BORÉAL in Nantes, France not only get to live in gorgeous, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/greenhouse/">greenhouse</a>-like apartments - they also each have their own gardening space! The social housing project has 39 apartments designed by local firm <a href="http://tetrarc.fr/" target="_blank">TETRARC</a>, and each unit enjoys a light-filled, glass-clad living space and a garden plot on the ground floor for growing. The innovative project is an exploration of materials, light and gardening as a means towards socially sustainable housing.

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BORÉAL-Tetrarc Architects

Habitat 44 is a social housing project in Nantes, France designed by <a href="http://tetrarc.fr/" target="_blank">TETRARC</a>.

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BORÉAL-Tetrarc Architects

The complex is formed from a row of 11 tall and narrow volumes with their own peaked roof.

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BORÉAL-Tetrarc Architects

Inside there are 39 apartments, 21 of which are for rent and the other 18 are for sale.

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BORÉAL-Tetrarc Architects

The apartments range in size, and can take up multiple floors.

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BORÉAL-Tetrarc Architects

Access is gained to the apartments via playful outdoor staircases with wooden louvers.

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BORÉAL-Tetrarc Architects

Individual walkways branch off the main path to each apartment, which heightens privacy for the residents.

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BORÉAL-Tetrarc Architects

This sustainable social housing project makes use of high performance systems and energy efficient design for the interior.

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BORÉAL-Tetrarc Architects

Each apartment enjoys access to natural daylighting, ventilation, views and their own private greenhouse space, which extends their living space.

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BORÉAL-Tetrarc Architects

This indoor/outdoor space provides room for play, drying of laundry, work space, a greenhouse and much more.

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BORÉAL-Tetrarc Architects

In addition to the greenhouse, each apartment also enjoys a plot of land around the building which can be used for growing vegetables or other plants.

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BORÉAL-Tetrarc Architects

The gardens encourage sustainable food production and promote neighborhood relationships.

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BORÉAL-Tetrarc Architects

Aerial view of BORÉAL.

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BORÉAL-Tetrarc Architects

Diagram of BORÉAL and garden plots.

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BORÉAL-Tetrarc Architects

The lucky inhabitants of BORÉAL in Nantes, France not only get to live in gorgeous, greenhouse-like apartments - they also each have their own gardening space! The social housing project has 39 apartments designed by local firm TETRARC, and each unit enjoys a light-filled, glass-clad living space and a garden plot on the ground floor for growing. The innovative project is an exploration of materials, light and gardening as a means towards socially sustainable housing.